cartermc

Well, good luck to you and keep us posted on how it goes. My only concern is my mom telling her relatives. I'm not fond of them and really don't associate with them at all and they are very negative. I'll have to cross that bridge when and if the time comes but express to my mom that I'll be very upset with her if she blabs it to the whole town. Which doctor are you using at Babtist? Melinda

Thank you very much for the advice. I've read the post about some people not wanting to tell people. I suppose I'll feel it out as I get more into the weeds with this whole thing. I'm pretty much an alpha personality and usually don't let what others think matter too much. However, since this is a new situation that will carry alot of emotion, I'm sure, I'll take a day by day approach. My mom will be the one helping my post op and taking care of my furkids, so she has to know. Melinda

Hi everyone, Well, I was on this board about a year ago and now I'm back, so, I'll reintroduce myself. I live in TN and am a single "mom" to my two dogs and a cat. I have been overweight all my life but really never thought about it until I joined the Army in 1995 and had to lose weight to join. While in the Army I maintained a weight around 135lbs but was still overweight by their standards and had to be "taped" at every weigh in. I'm now at the heaviest I've ever been and having severe sleep apnea (have a sleep study scheduled in two days) and not I've seemed to have developed acid reflux. I did research on the lap band (the procedure I want to get) a year ago but thought I could work through my eating issues but here I am a year later and heavier than last year. I'm going to a seminar in July and I'm making my sister go. My sister will be supportive and although my mom doesn't think I should get it, she too will be supportive once its done. I look forward to learning a lot on the board and asking questions. I'd like to speak or email anyone that had their surgery done in Nashville. Good luck to everyone. Melinda

Well, I've got the info from both hospitals. I think in the end my decision will be made by the seminar and how I feel or the vibe I get from the doctors and also if the insurance has any say. I think my insurance covers all the doctors so that shouldn't be an issue. Right now I'm leaning towards the one that cost $14,400. I think the lifetime routine follow ups, dietician, exercise guy and the psychology support makes it a very good deal. Of course, the only down is that the fills cost $200. Yes, I feel at the moment, I would use the execise person. Hey a free personal trainer..how often do you get that. I'll update once I've gone to the seminars. Melinda

Laurend, That's my Ragdoll cat Harley! She's the queen of the house. :woot: Have a good day. Melinda

Thanks for the info. Have a great weekend. Melinda

Hi, After the first year of being banded, how often do you see your surgeon for follow ups? Is once every six months to a year? Thanks, Melinda

Wheetsin, I'm not sure on the shrink for the one that includes the free fills. Just like anything there are the people that have used both places and they sing praises for both. Right now I'm getting all my insurance info and sleep study done and then I'll go to both places to their seminars and "feel" it out. You are right that the vibe will be a big part for me. Thanks, Melinda

See...this is why I love this forum! You presented me with a question I hadn't thought of to ask. So, I called the hospital that offers the one yr free. So, it is one year free follow up that includes the following: 1. fills/ unfills - and after one year its $150 2. routine visits 3. dietician - after one year if I need this it will cost me 4. no exercise person So, the questions becomes does anyone really use the exercise person? If I were honest with myself, I feel I'd use the dietician more than I'd use the exercise person and I'd probably only use the dietician until I felt comfortable with the band and how different things effect me and my weight loss. Does that make sense? Anymore questions you think I should consider? Melinda

Rosgirl, Thanks for the info. Right now I'm trying to see if I can get all my info together, such as med records, and things needed for insurance before I get to far in the process. Good luck to you and I wish you much success. Melinda

It's going to be hard to choose. They both have nice staff that answered my questions quickly. Well, the one thing I found out about the lifetime follow up is for the dietician, exercise person, doctor visits that don't involve the fill, and after care programs such as support groups. I did talk to the dietician this AM and she had some good things to say. What do you think?